When it comes to weekend shenanigans, the campus is somewhat limited as to where students can go to have a beer, dance and meet non-Otterbein folk. Unless it’s at Jimmy V’s, Old Bag of Nails or an off-campus house, our nightlife activities throughout the year begin to feel like routine.
However, for those of us with cars, or even graced with friends with cars, a broader nightlife experience awaits beyond the campus borders.
Diesel Club Lounge
51 Vine St.
Columbus, OH 43215
This chic dance club has a large LED fixture on the dance floor ceiling that moves to the rhythm of the music, and the wall behind the DJ accompanies LED lights flowing to the music’s beat. Low seating borders the dance floor with small candles on top of the tables. Leather low-stool seating accompanies the low-leveled tables. The bartenders are all friendly. There are also a couple of flat screen TVs that sit behind the bar.
Park Street Cantina
491 N. Park St.
Columbus, OH 43215
This club offers a touch of Latin flavor with a half-outdoor bar and half-indoor bar. The indoor bar is the place for dancing, with a large dance floor, and a fog machine that goes off periodically. The large $5 cup of Sangria is deceivingly potent because it is so fruity and flavorful.
The outdoor area of Cantina allows for mingling with alternative rock music playing instead of the club music that plays indoors. A white swing hangs from a tree next to the porch-type seating for the outdoor bar.
During the winter, a large part of the outdoor bar is closed with heated lamps for those who need fresh air from the usually crowded club or a smoke break.
College night, for students 18 years and older, is every Wednesday beginning at 10 p.m.
Axis Nightclub
775 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Axis is a gay club located in the Short North, right across from Union Cafe, a cocktail lounge that also caters to the gay scene. The club has a dancing stage, a main dance floor and two individual platforms adjacent from the bar. There are screens hanging on the walls above the dance floor that play music videos that accompany the music on the speakers.
A side room near the entrance hosts small drag shows and male strip shows. Axis is known for hosting numerous local celebrity drag queens as well as queens from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” who are featured on the main stage. On Sunday nights, the club performs “Church,” or all-male revue, which is a male strip show. The club is open to people 18 and older.
Classic Pizza & Sports Bar
742 N. State St.
Westerville, OH 43081
Classic’s operates four chains in central Ohio and the closest one to Otterbein is in the Giant Eagle plaza on Maxtown Road.
Classic’s is a great place to go if you want to have a slice of pizza, drink some beer and watch a game.
Each location is different, but all have comfortable and clean atmospheres. They also all have TVs in the double digits, multiple pool tables and various arcade games. The Westerville location, as well as some of their other locations, have a covered patio, dart boards and an internet jukebox.
Crazee Mule Saloon
6188 Cleveland Avenue
Columbus, OH 43231
The Crazee Mule is a fun bar located behind DreamGirls on Cleveland Avenue, just south of I-270. The atmosphere is relaxed with bright lighting that gives it more of an uplifting feel than an average bar.
There is a large variety of beer and alcohol for mixed drinks. The food is delicious and the chef seems to take pride in his work.
The rest of the staff is friendly and so are many of the regulars who hang out there.
There are also several dart boards and pool tables for those who want to play a few games. Several TVs play various sporting events and news programs throughout the bar. The patio is nice for having a smoke and is also heated in the winter.
Gatsby’s
151 N. Hamilton Road
Gahanna, OH 43230
Gatsby’s is just a fun place to hang out, and grab some food and drinks with friends.
Gatsby’s offers live entertainment most days of the week as well as activities such as a Wii bowing league.
In the summer, they host volleyball matches as well. Their menu is large and full of affordable, satisfying food like burgers and sandwiches.
FM All-American Bar & Grill
154 N. Hamilton Road
Gahanna, OH 43230
The bar and grill has decently priced drinks as well as a small dance floor. In the backdrop, there’s a picture of John Travolta in “Saturday Night Fever.” A mechanical bull next to the dance floor costs $5. A separate room from the bar has pool tables and dartboards. Usually, an older crowd mingles at the bar.
